Local travel partner matching app

Clee is a mobile app designed to cater to local travelers within a country, helping them find and match travel partners and new friends to share their travel experiences.

My Input

As a Product Designer, I had a crucial role in crafting the overall experience of the Clee app. I took charge of the initial research, collecting insights, and then moved on to creating the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designs. Working closely with two developers and a Product Manager, we worked as a team to turn Clee's vision into a reality. My responsibilities spanned every phase of the design journey, making sure that the app meets the expectations and desires of our intended users.

Objectives

The Clee app's main goal is to make finding the right travel buddy easier and faster by addressing challenges like trust and time-consuming planning. Success is measured by how quickly users can find their ideal companion for locals looking to team up for trips.

There must be something

I scouted the internet and the App Store for something that could help me. Most of the options that I came across were either focused on trip planning like TourRadar or Roadtrippers. Some were more of a social network like Travel Buddy and Travello. And some were were simply unavailable in most countries as Piknik, Adequate Travel, GAFFL.

1. Trip planning apps: TourRadar and Roadtrippers focus on planning trips but may not address the need for finding travel companions.

2. Social network apps: Travel Buddy and Travello function as social networks for travelers, but they might not effectively resolve issues related to trust and compatibility in finding travel partners.

3. Inaccessible Apps: Piknik, Adequate Travel, and GAFFL are not accessible in most countries, limiting their usefulness for local users seeking travel companionship.

Who is this app for?

Target audience: Clee is designed for travelers aged 18 to 30 who enjoy local exploration.

Travel Preferences: These individuals prefer traveling with companions, seeking out new experiences within their own country.

Social Media Presence: They are active on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Tinder, and various music apps.

User goals

These user are looking to find an ideal travel partner for easy and spontaneous travels. Upcoming weekend or a holiday, they want someone to share their adventure with. Aside that, we also want to ensure reliable partnerships and avoid last minute cancelations.

1. Finding ideal travel companion: The app aimed to solve the challenge of quickly finding a suitable travel partner, helping users connect with fellow travelers who share similar interests for spontaneous and enjoyable trips.

2. Easy and spontaneous travels: Users sought a platform that facilitated spontaneous travel without complications, enhancing the experience by connecting them with like-minded travelers.

3. Ensuring reliable partnerships: Establishing trust is crucial, as users want to avoid last-minute cancellations or being left without a partner, ensuring a dependable travel experience.

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How they solve it?

During my research, I explored various platforms for finding travel partners, including Facebook groups and private groups on WhatsApp and Telegram. I categorized travelers by styles such as Adventurous, Curious, and Traditional, and examined different trip types, from short getaways to extended travels.

• Privacy and chaos: Existing platforms had privacy issues and disorganized conversations.

• Lack of Traction: Local travel boards lacked traction.

• Trustworthy Travel Buddies: Finding reliable travel companions in a short time was a challenge.

User pain points

From the interviews I conducted, it became clear that there were even more hardships with finding a travel partner than I had originally thought. As we could imagine, the main pain point is finding a reliable travel partner there other things like travel dates and destinations are also important but could be addressed later.

Finding travel partners: Users frequently struggle to find travel companions who match their preferences, making it a significant challenge.

Partners dropping out: The sudden cancellation of travel partners is a common issue, leading to frustration and diminished trust.

Setting up travel dates: Coordinating travel dates can be challenging, especially for spontaneous trips where users have limited time for planning.

Agreeing on a destinations: While less of an issue compared to finding partners and setting dates, users still face some difficulty in finalizing travel destinations.

User’s Mood, Environment, and Mental Model:

Clee’s users are probably feeling pretty stoked and positive about their upcoming trips. They’re likely eager to make new friends, swap stories, and make some awesome memories. People will be using the app in all sorts of situations — during their commute, when they’re chilling out, and when they’re getting ready for their travel escapades. They’re thinking in terms of an app that’s easy to use, helps them find partners quickly, and lets them build trust through reliable connections.

User journey

A user journey is like the route a person follows on a website or app, influenced by what they want and why they want it. Using the information I collected, I built a user journey that considers all kinds of travelers, each with their own reasons for using the app. This journey shows how users move around the app, make choices, and feel at different points, giving a complete picture of what their experience is like.

Approach 1: Tinder style

We conducted user testing by building a prototype app that matched the needs we had identified from users. Our main idea was to make it work like Tinder, where users could easily swipe through travel groups. Pros Enables users to navigate and find travel buddies easily by swiping left and right. Cons Users may create groups without actively looking for partners

Approach 2: Automation

To tackle the challenge I mentioned earlier, I suggested using AI to make finding travel partners easier. This means using the data from user preference quizzes to create a smart search system.

Pros

Utilizing AI to create a smart search system can significantly streamline the process of finding travel partners, making it quicker and more effortless for users.

Cons

Developing this AI-driven system may require additional time and funds.

Group chat

Originally, we planned to integrate chat groups into the app for matched travel partners to discuss trip details and get to know each other. To address the cons of the second approach, I suggested that instead of developing a full chat system at this stage, we guide users to a WhatsApp group.

Screen mapping

With a focus on users, I started designing the app’s main screens carefully. My goal was to make the user journey smooth by showing only what’s essential on each screen, directly addressing their concerns. At the core of this plan, the “Onboarding flow” is crucial, gathering valuable user preferences to tackle their challenges effectively. The central piece is the “Match” screen, where AI skillfully uses this data to find the best travel partners. This blend of technology and design takes on tough problems users face. This integration brings efficiency and design together, creating a pleasant experience from the app’s beginning to ongoing use, directly dealing with users’ specific concerns.

The onboarding flow encompasses a series of steps that culminate in refining the user’s profile and amassing their preference data.

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Feedback

Considering the input we received from stakeholders, we fine-tuned the screen details and extended all the pathways users are likely to follow. This process aided me in organizing different screen types and designing components that can be used across various sections, making the development process smoother.

Onboarding flow and profile

The first user interaction is key, so I focused on clear onboarding to introduce Clee’s features. The Onboarding screen helps the user and the AI to customize his search for a “travel buddy”.

Matching experience

To enhance the first experience, the app's home screen will feature a map showing areas and desired travel companions. Users select the number of companions, tap "Match," and choose preferred dates in chat groups to simplify planning and improve usability.

Solution

After examining our competition, we decided to create a simple, immersive travel buddy finder for spontaneous travelers in their twenties. We focused on reducing taps and steps to quickly find companions, integrating AI to hasten the matching process and deliver faster, better results.

UI & Styleguides

Since Clee is all about travel, hiking, and outdoor activities, I chose colors that would really connect with our users for the app’s look. I used natural, earthy colors for a grounded feel, but with a bit of contrast to make it interesting. I made the buttons rounded and friendly-looking, and added circular design elements that remind you of radars and compasses. Then, I made sure all the colors across the app matched well with this theme. I even created a style guide to help the team keep everything looking consistent.

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Next step

In the next steps for Clee, we were looking to provide users with more freedom through a notification center. This means giving users suggestions that match their preferences or helping them find partners in different places if they’re open to it. The goal is to make it easier for users to connect with partners and spend more time outdoors. Additionally, we’re exploring ways to improve users’ health and fitness through the platform, while also helping them make new friends and enhance their travel adventures.